Troy University to give out free books during World Book Night

Posted: Thursday, 17 April 2014

TROY - Troy University faculty and staff members will hand out free books at locations in six different cities on April 23 as a part of the annual World Book Night celebration designed to spread the joy of reading.

World Book Night is dedicated to spreading the love of reading, person to person. Each year on April 23, tens of thousands of people go out into their communities and give half a million free World Book Night paperbacks to light and non-readers. Thirty to 35 books are chosen annually by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially-printed World Book Night U.S. editions.

The date of World Book Night coincides with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's International Day of the Book, as well as the birthday of William Shakespeare. It was also chosen in honor of Miguel de Cervantes, who died on April 23, 1616. In the Catalan region of Spain, the day is celebrated by giving a book and a flower to a loved one. World Book Night was first celebrated in the UK and Ireland in 2011; in 2012, it was also celebrated in the United States and Germany.